High Cheese

Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino has won the National League Final Vote and is heading to next week’s All-Star Game in Phoenix. He led wire-to-wire and finished with 9.2 million votes.

Despite a sprained thumb, Victorino has said he intends to play in the game and also wants to be in the lineup when the Phillies open a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves tomorrow night at Citizens Bank Park. He was injured after stumbling while trying to make a throw Sunday in Toronto.

Victorino also won the fan vote in 2009. The Phillies have now had a player win the fan vote for the final spot three times. Bobby Abreu won in 2004.

Victorino, who was stumping for votes earlier today at City Hall with Mayor Nutter among a number of appearances, beat Dodgers rightfielder Andre Ethier, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, Nationals leftfielder Michael Morse and Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy.

“The past few days have been incredible. To take the lead from day one shows how supportive the fans have been from the start of the campaign. Just to be on the ballot was exciting, but to be the first player to be selected by the fans twice is such a tremendous honor,” said Victorino. “The fans in Philadelphia and Hawaii as well as my offseason home in Las Vegas are so loyal to me – that’s what means more than anything. I would also like to thank the Detroit fans for their support, as well as all fans around baseball, who thought I was worthy of this final All-Star spot. Mahalo to everyone for making my trip to Arizona possible.”

Chicago's Paul Konerko won the AL vote, also leading wire-to-wire. He picked up 8.4 million votes to make his fifth All-Star team. He was followed by Detroit's Victor Martinez, who made a late push as part of the Tigers' promotional campaign that included a tie-in with the Phillies.

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